Space frame structure



R. J. POLO Jan. 23, 1968 SPACE FRAME STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMay 7, 1964 R O T N E V W AT ToqmEy Jan. 23, 1968 R. J. POLO SPACE FRAMESTRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May INVENTOR.

D J. DOLC) ATT ZNEy 2| HAR W g Jan. 23, 1968 R. J. POLO 3,364,633

SPACE FRAME STRUCTURE Filed May 7, 1964 '5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR.Qxcv-uuzzo l. POLO W Q. m

A-rToczNEy Patented Jan. 23, 1968 The invention described herein may bemanufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposeswithout the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to an arched space frame structure and moreparticularly to the module forming the basic building unit for the spaceframe structure.

An object of the invention is to provide a simply designed, low cost,mass produced structure which is constructed by assembling manyrepetitions of one basic module.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure that can berapidly erected or disassembled using little heavy equipment and whosespan, height, and length can be varied by varying the size or number ofthe basic modules.

Another object of the invention is to provide a basic building modulewhich folds into a compact unit and which is composed of standard,interchangeable structural members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a separately integralmodule, no member of which is common to any adjacent module.

Another object of the invention is to provide a basic building module inwhich the roof section is a part of the module so that no separateroofing operation is required.

Another object of the invention is to provide a basic building modulecomplete with roof section and weatherproofing roof joint means.

The structural features of the invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the space frame structure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawin of a portion of the structure showing theinterrelationship of the space frame modules;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the space frame module without the roofsection;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the module base frameshowing the web members in folded position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the underside of the module base framewith roof section attached;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the underside of the module base frameshowing the roof section strapped onto the base frame;

FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of a roof section positioningcleat;

FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view of the roof section strap meansshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the underside of one corner of themodule base frame showing alternative means for fastening the roofsection to the module base frame;

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the joint between two modules showingthe joint weatherproofing means;

FIG. 11 is an elevation view showing alternative joint weatherproofingmeans; and

FIG. 12 is an elevation view showing additional alternate jointweatherproofing means.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the type of structure inwhich the module of this invention can be best used. FIG. 2 illustratesthe interrelation of the modules within the structure shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the basic space frame module of this invention, with theroof section removed. The module is pyramidal in form and comprises anintegral base frame 1, tubular web members 2, and a connecting member 3at the apex of the pyramid of the module. Base frame 1 is preferablymade up of four integrally connected tubular members and is in the formof a square, although other base frame forms are within the scope ofthis invention. Each base frame member has a protruding yoke member 4and a tongue member 5, each perforated to allow passage of a connectingpin, not shown. The placement of the yoke and tongue members of oppositemembers of frame 1 is reversed so that when the modules are joinedtogether a tongue member of one module fits into a yoke member of theadjacent module. The web members 2 are pivotally connected to eachcorner of the base frame 1, preferably by a ball and socket hinge 6. Thebase frame end of each web member 2 is fitted with a ball couplingassembly 7, shown in FIG. 4. Each socket member 8 is slotted to aloweach web member 2 to be folded flat against the base frame 1 forconvenient storage and transportation of the module. Retainer clips 9are riveted to base frame 1 to hold web members 2 in folded position.The apex end of each web member 2 is fitted with a yoke couplingassembly 19. Each yoke of assembly 10 fits over a tongue member 11 ofapex connector 3. Yoke 10 and tongue 11 are perforated to allow passageof a connecting pin, not shown. Apex connector 3 also has perforatedtongue members 12. Perforated yoke coupling members 13 of chord members14 fit over tongues 12 and are preferably connected with pins, notshown. Tubular chord members 14 connect each module apex with the apexof each adjacent module. In the transverse direction, chord members 14are shorter than the transverse members of base frame 1 to provide forthe arch of the space frame structure.

The complete module has a roof section 15 attached to base frame 1. FIG.5 shows a metal plate roof section 15 attached to base frame 1 by filletwelds. FIG. 6 shows roof section 15 releasably fastened to base frame 1.The fastening means, shown in detail in FIG. 8, comprise strap 16 whichis riveted to roof section 15. If strap 16 is metal, the baseframe-surrounding portion is connected to the roof section portion byhinge 17. Buckle 18 secures the strap 16 around each base frame 1member. It is to be understood that roof section 15 need not be metalbut could be of wood, cloth, plastic or other suitable material. Strap15 likewise may be of a material other than metal. Roof section cleat19, shown in detail in FIG. 7 is riveted to roof section 15 to insureproper positioning on base frame 1.

FIG. 9 shows alternative means for releasably fastening roof section 15to base frame 1. One such means comprises a bolt 20 pivotally connectedto plate 21 by hinge 22. Plate 21 also serves as the positioning cleatshown in FIG. 7. Hooking plate 23 having slot 24 is fastened to eachinside corner of base frame 1. Wing nut 25 is tightened to bolt 20 afterbolt 20 has been inserted in slot 24. When nut 25 is tightened, roofsection 15 is drawn to base frame 1 in secure fashion. Another means forfastening roof section 15 to base frame 1 is shown in FIG. 9 asprotruding, perforated tab 26. These tabs 26, protruding from thecorners of each base frame member, provide the receiving member wherebyroof section 15 can be bolted or screwed to base frame 1.

FIG. 10 shows one means of weatherproofing the joint between the roofsections of two adjacent modules. Considering the module frame shown inFIG. 3, roof section 15 is extended to overlap base frame 1 on all foursides. On two adjacent sides, for example the north and west sides, theoverlapping extension consists of a portion of the roof section 15 whichis bent so as to be parallel with but slightly higher than the plane ofthe section 15. This extension is shown as 27 in FIG. 10. The other twosides of roof section have overlapping extensions 28 in which a gutter29 is impressed. When assembled, the raised overlapping extension 27 ofone roof section 15 extends over the overlapping extension 28 and gutter29 of the adjacent roof section. Gasket 30 may be inserted betweenoverlapping plates 27 and 28 as shown in FIG. 10. The resulting jointprevents any water from entering the building. Gutters 29 carry awaywater which may be blown under extension 27. If desired, a gasket, notshown, may be crimped into extension 28 to form the weatherproof seal.

FIG. 11 shows alternative means for weatherproofing the joint betweenthe roof sections of two adjacent modules. This means consists ofoverlapping flexible flaps 31 and 32 attached to the underside of eachedge of roof section 15. Each fiap is of sufiicient dimension to extendfrom one roof section 15 to the roof section of the adjacent module.Flaps 31 and 32 may be attached to roof sections 15 by any suitablemeans such as by rivets or by crimping the roof section over the flap.

FIG. 12 shows still another means of weatherproofing the joint betweenthe roof sections of two adjacent modules. This means consists of aflexible gasket 33 which is attached to one overlapping edge of roofsection 15 by crimping or riveting. Gasket 33 has resilient grippingmeans on its distal end consisting of upper 34 and lower 35 flapportions of the gasket 33. Flap portions 34 and 35 are dimensioned so asto extend from one roof section 15 to grip the overlapping roof section15 of the adjacent module, thereby forming a weatherproofing seal.

In constructing the space frame structure using the module justdescribed, the module base frames are connected together to form an archthe width of one base frame. The arch is formed by using pinned moduleconnections and having the transverse apex-connecting chord membersshorter than the transverse base frame members. It is assumed that thepyramidal modules are inverted, with the apexes facing the inside of thestructure. The space frame thus constructed generates a circularstructural shell, the length of which can be varied by adding orsubstracting module-wide arches.

The structure formed by the modules of this invention is highly eficientsince each module member reaches approximately the same maximum stressunder loading conditions most likely to occur. Such modular designpermits economy of material and the use of only a few types of standardstructural members. Moreover, the integral roof sections andweatherproof joints of the modules of this invention eliminate aseparate roofing operation and allow use of expedient roof materialssuch as wood, cloth or plastic as well as metal. Another importantfeature of this invention is that the modules can be folded flat forstorage and transportation and that each module is complete in itselfwith no common interconnecting members. This integrity of modulespermits easier and faster assembly and disassembly and more efficientstorage and transportation.

I claim:

1. A space frame structure comprising a plurality of interconnectedpyramidal modules, each module having a separately integral base frame,said frame carrying alternating, protruding yoke and tongue lugsdisposed at the corners thereof and extending normal to the sides ofsaid frame, web members pivotally connected to and extending from thecorners of said base frame, and a connecting member at the apex of themodule, said connecting member including a first series of protrudingtongue lugs vertically disposed and forming a cruciform configuration,each of said tongue lugs supporting the distal end of one of said webmembers, a second series of tongue lugs forming a cruciformconfiguration vertically and angularly displaced relative to and securedto said first cruciform configuration with the inner edges of saidsecond series of tongue lugs protruding from the common intersection ofthe tongue lugs of said first series of tongue lugs, the integral baseframes of said modules being fastened together by inserting a protrudingtongue lug of one module base frame into the yoke lug of an adjacentmodule base frame and passing a pin through the tongue and yoke joint,and the apexes of said modules being connected by chord members, saidchord members terminating in yoke lugs for receiving one of said secondseries of tongue lugs and pins to form a yoke and tongue joint.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,371,421 3/1945 Blaski -u 52-644X 2,803,317 8/1957 Henderson 52641 X 2,833,228 5/1958 Martin 526442,855,617 10/1958 Broms et al 52-646 3,062,340 11/1962 Hunnebeck 5286 X3,119,476 1/1964 Pearson 52403 X FOREIGN PATENTS 214,193 3/1958Australia.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

I. KARL BELL, Assistant Examiner.

1. A SPACE FRAME STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INTERCONNECTEDPYRAMIDAL MODULES, EACH MODULE HAVING A SEPARATELY INTEGRAL BASE FRAME,SAID FRAME CARRYING ALTERNATING, PROTRUDING YOKE AND TONGUE LUGSDISPOSED AT THE CORNERS THEREOF AND EXTENDING NORMAL TO THE SIDES OFSAID FRAME, WEB MEMBERS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO AND EXTENDING FROM THECORNERS OF SAID BASE FRAME, AND A CONNECTING MEMBER AT THE APEX OF THEMODULE, SAID CONNECTING MEMBER INCLUDING A FIRST SERIES OF PROTRUDINGTONGUE LUGS VERTICALLY DISPOSED AND FORMING A CRUCIFORM CONFIGURATION,EACH OF SAID TONGUE LUGS SUPPORTING THE DISTAL END OF ONE OF SAID WEBMEMBERS, A SECOND SERIES OF TONGUE LUGS FORMING A CRUCIFORMCONFIGURATION VERTICALLY AND ANGULARLY DISPLACED RELATIVE TO AND SECUREDTO SAID FIRST CRUCIFORM CONFIGURATION WITH THE INNER EDGES OF SAIDSECOND SERIES OF TONGUE LUGS PROTRUDING FROM THE COMMON INTERSECTION OFTHE TONGUE LUGS OF SAID FIRST SERIES OF TONGUE LUGS, THE INTEGRAL BASEFRAMES OF SAID MODULES BEING FASTENED TOGETHER BY INSERTING A PROTRUDINGTONGUE LUG OF ONE MODULE BASE FRAME INTO THE YOKE LUG OF AN ADJACENTMODULE BASE FRAME AND PASSING A PIN THROUGH THE TONGUE AND YOKE JOINT,AND THE APEXES OF SAID MODULES BEING CONNECTED BY CHORD MEMBERS, SAIDCHORD MEMBERS TERMINATING IN YOKE LUGS FOR RECEIVING ONE OF SAID SECONDSERIES OF TONGUE LUGS AND PINS TO FORM A YOKE AND TONGUE JOINT.